§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests and rosecutions there have been for breaches of the Incitement to Disaffection Act: in which years and under which sections of the Act; how many prosecutions have resulted in convictions; and what sentences have been imposed.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsRecords for the period before 1965 are not readily available: nor is information about whether defendants were arrested. Details of prosecutions since 1965—other than those where trial is in progress or pending—are as follows
1972: 2 persons: Section 2; 1 canvisted and sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment, 1 acquitted.1974: 1 person; Sections 1 and 2; convicted and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment (reduced on appeal).
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what bodies concerned with law reform are considering the Incitement to Disaffection Act and related offences; and when they are expected to report.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 falls within the review which the Law Commission is conducting of the law of treason and other offences against the State. It is too early to say when the Commission's report will be available.
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to repeal the Incitement to Disaffection Act.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI do not consider that it would be appropriate to deal with this particular measure in isolation from the Law Commission's review of the law on treason and related offences.
§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are (a) currently on trial and (b) 8W awaiting trial for breaches of the Incitement to Disaffection Act; and, of those awaiting trial, how many are remanded in custody.
§ Mr. Roy Jenkins(a) 14; (b) 1 awaiting retrial; 6 awaiting committal proceedings; none is remanded in custody.